B31.3 Hydrostatic Pressure Testing

Pressure
testing or Hydrostatic testing is the test which is carried out after the
installation of any pipeline before it is put into use. The purpose of the
pressure testing is to investigate the various limits of the pipeline which
will test areas such as the reliability, maximum capacity, leaks, joint
fittings and pressure.

The
information found from pressure testing aids to maintain the safety standards and
requirements, and the upkeep of the pipeline. When there is a new manufactured
piece of equipment the pipelines are initially qualified by using a pressure
test/hydro-static test and regularly re-qualified at different intervals, which
is called, the “modified hydro-static test” or “proof pressure test”.